Not as good as Hysteria, but better than Euphoria or Slang.
After 10 albums its hard not to compare any new Def Leppard record with the most successful ones like "Pyromania" and "Hysteria." Is "X" as great as "Hysteria" or "Pyro" no, but its a worthy addition to any DL CD collection. "X" has everything that has drawn people to Def Leppard in the past. Songs like "Four Letter Word," "Torn to Shreds," and "Cry" have classic Leppard vocals and guitar riffs. Tunes like "Long,Long Way to Go," and "Let Me Be the One" are reminisent of "Love Bites" and "Tonight." Just all around great songs on this record are "Now," "Everyday" and "Gravity." So no, its not gonna be as popular as "Pryo" or "Hysteria." You have to keep in mind that this is 2002 not 1983. Also when "Pyro" was being written Steve Clark and Pete Willis were doing alot of the writing, now there are Phil Collen and Vivian Campbell that might have different musical input. And the music scene is a little more diverse today that the 80's.
The pictures in the sleeve are worth the [$$$] by themselves. This is a must for any TRUE DL fan.
Def People
Wow in one of these reveiws for this album a guy calling himself HeadbangerDuh says that def leppard r in the wrong for making the music that they want to make, and not caring about their fans. So what my dear freind is wrong with them making the music they want to make??
Ok so it is a pop record, but if u have ears and actually listen to some of these lyrics then u will notice that these songs contain stuff so powerful and moving ,and i daresay "catchy" that this comes nophing close to a cheesy pop record that is flying off the shelves today. Def leppard have clearly evolved on music terms and i dont seee any reason why def leppard are "going against there fans" with songs like NOW and the beautiful long long way to go makes this album worth hearing. So def leppard have created a deep pop record worth listening to, its about time really...
Uhhh........this ain't Def Leppard
WHAT THE HELL HAPPENED? One of the greatest classic rock bands decides to go pop? I really had to double-check to make sure that what I heard was actually Def Leppard! Horrible horrible!!!! I cannot stress enough how much this is NOT DEF LEPPARD!!!!!!!!!!!!! Do not buy this stinking pile of godawful crap!!!! Pyromania is their best CD; THAT'S who these guys really are!!!
Who can be sure of why this record is titled, "X". You would think that it may be their tenth release in some 25 years as a band, and that's probably why...but who cares. The cover of the record is so appropriate, a large painted X on black with the band name beside it. This one was crossed off my listening agenda in a hurry. The X should be over the band's name, they're done.
This is , by far, the most painful review I have ever written. It's painful because I really liked this band. I mean I REALLY LIKED THIS BAND! Pyromania is listed somewhere near #25 on my all-time favorite albums list. The first two records not far behind that. And I even liked "Hysteria" and "Adrenalize" a great deal. So I really look forward to hearing what they have to offer usually.
With the addition of former Dio guitar guru Vivian Campbell in 1992, I thought we might actually rock raw and heavy again. Oh my, was I mistaken! The addition of Campbell, whose work with Dio and his solo project Riverdogs was nothing short of phenomenal, seemed to be the nail in the coffin. Did he cause the change in sound and writing style? I really don't think so. If you listen to his solo LP, "Riverdogs", you'll hear wonderful, deep songs with lots of character. That's his writing style, quality songs that say something. The songs on "X" say nothing. The only record I like less from these guys is the 1996
release "Slang", which I found nauseating. This IS better than that.
The album never really changes pace very much. In everysong we get a "just rolled out of bed" lead vocal, and a plethora of over-produced harmonies to choke down. After a while, it gets hard to swallow. This is not to say that the lead vocals or harmony vocals are not good quality, they are. Def Leppard has always had some of the best gang vocals in the rock world, and still does. They are just too overdone here. They have become too reliant on the strength of their harmonies to just play raw rock 'n' roll anymore. You see, back in the day, they used these awesome harmonies to accent Joe Elliot's intense emotion-filled lead. This is what a good hard rock band does successfully. They keep it heavy, and keep it harmonic at the same time. Joe Elliot is barely heard on this record, and he shows no emotional blasts whatsoever. The harmony vocals ARE the lead vocals, and Joe is just following along. By doing this, you almost get a "boy band" sound. Which is to say, I could see N'SYNC covering many of these tunes. And, don't be fooled, those N'SYNC guys can sing... but I have no desire to listen. Everything turns "sweet" when you harmonize this much. The chicks love it. It works for N'SYNC, they're young and cute. Def Leppard isn't.
Now, as you might expect, there are exceptions here. All the songs are pretty catchy after a while, and I found myself singing them in the kitchen(over the spaghetti). I also get Karma Chameleon stuck in my head every now and again, that doesn't mean I like it.
So, now I'm faced with this dilemma; I got a talented band playing "love this, love that" pop songs one after another, and they do this "cookie cutter" crap very well. Now, is a "catchy" song, a good song? If you find yourself washing dishes twice just so you can finish singing the stuff, does that mean it's good? Well folks, the Doc don't think so. At least not for this band. In trying to sum this record up, let me first say that I miss the Def Leppard I use to know. I don't know if I'll ever get over the loss. Now I'm left with catchy cliche pop songs that tell me "everyday without you in my heart, everyday I feel I'm falling apart", and I just can't stomach it. The few feeble attempts at anything rocking take a nose dive when Elliot sings his ultra laid back lines. And with songs such as "Four Letter Word", it's sounds so adolescent 80's "hair metal" that it's just silly. And what's the new "four letter word?" Could it be LOVE maybe?
If you like catchy pop tunes from a band that might call themselves "mature" now, you might like this record. If you want deep, emotional, and intense hard rock..."X" this one off and go listen to the immature stuff like "Pyromania" or one of the first two records.
Because of the great harmony vocals and the decent hooks I'll be kind and give it...
OVERALL RATING: 4 (1-10 scale)
For more Dr. Music reviews, visit www.new-sounds.com/DrMusic
This is their best effort since Hysteria. Great music and lyrics. Def Leppard still rock!!
Despite all the tragedies and VH1 specials that have befallen them, Def Leppard remain one of the most reliable British arena-rock bands out there. After briefly losing direction in the dour '90s, the band rebounded with 1999's exuberant Euphoria. Things stay mercifully on course with the scintillatingly titled X (as in the Roman numeral for 10, they tell us with a wink). "Torn to Shreds" and "Cry" are classic stonewashed-denim rockers, lifted straight from the 15-million selling Hysteria blueprint. Meanwhile, "Long, Long Way to Go" arrives as the obligatory lighter-waving ballad in the fine tradition of "Love Bites." Ladies and gentlemen, let's hear it for the heavy metal Duran Duran. --Aidin Vaziri
